Shoulder pads



March 26, 1957 KLziNMAN 2,786,209

SHOULDER PADS Filed June 5, 1953 IN V EN TOR. 2 M 1? W United StatesPatent SHOULDER PADS Jacob L. Kleinman, Arverne, N. Y.

Application lune 3, 1953, Serial No. 359,256

6 Claims. (Cl. 2-268) This invention relates to the construction ofshoulder pads and shoulder pad covers, of various types, and moreparticularly to a type of shoulder pad structure provided with meansadapted to be held frictionally in desired position without the aid ofsewing, and wherein such shoulder pad may be removed without resortingto the undoing of seams or of sewing, and wherein the shoulder pad andthe cover are each provided with means permitting the circulation of airtherethrough thereby providing air ventilation for the interior of thepad structure and forming air cushioning means for same, and wherein theshoulder pad structure is provided with means adapted to house orsupport a. fragrant or perfumed element, or any other desirable element,and is filed as a continuation in part of my copending application, S.N. 756,369, filed June 23, 1947, matured into Patent Number 2,640,993,issued June 9, 1953.

My novel construction is capable of being utilized in connection withvarious styles or types of shoulder pads, for example, shoulder padsmade of sponge rubber, foam rubber, or of foam made of plastic, or ofany other suitable element, or of a combination of elements, and beutilized or worn by the wearer in any suitable or desirable manner.

In accordance with my invention, I produce a shoulder pad provided witha groove or slitted channel adapted to underlie the shoulder strap of abrassiere located upon' the wearers shoulder and having its wall portionencase, or embrace, frictionally, such shoulder strap thus holding samein desired position upon such shoulder, cushioning same againststrap-pressure, and also house therein shoulder straps of the wearersslip, undergarment, or corselet in desired position thereby preventingor minimizing the possibilities of such straps slipping off the wearersshoulder, and in addition thereto I provide my shoulder pad structurewith an air cooling system which ventilates and cushions the innerportion of the structure and also with a compartment for housing. afragrant or perfumed element, or any other suitable element.

To illustrate the ordinary commercial utility of my novel shoulder padin daily life, a shoulder pad constructed in accordance with myinvention, of whatever style or type: it may be made, could be utilizedto great advantage; the fact that my shoulder pad could be placed underthe shoulder strap upon the wearers shoulder, cushioning such shoulderagainst strap=pressure, and be held in selected position by frictionalengagement with such str p, particularly so without resorting to meansof sewing, and be removed, or replaced, without resorting to undoing ofseems, a matter which is a difficult task to most of the peopleespecially to those not trained in the sewing profession, would rendergreat comfort and satisfaction to' the wearer to an extent whereby suchshoulder pad would become an indispensable Wardrobe item, and thus quitevaluable to the trade commercially, especially so when such. shoulderpad is provided with my air cooling, ventilating and cushioning system.

The same is true with respect to the compartment formed in my shoulderpad structure for housing a fragrant or perfumed element.

For explanatory purposes the following may be pointed out. it is a wellknown fact that women frequently dab a bit of perfume upon theirshoulders so as to diffuse a pleasing fragrance or scent about them, butsuch bit of pc re occasionally soils or stains their wearing apparel, attimes to an extent which results in a permanent stain that can not beremoved. Furthermore, the scent of such bit of perfume readilyevaporates and the user has to replace, frequently, afresh bit ofperfume in order to retain the desired fragrance about herself; this isof course very annoying to the individual concerned. Although suchperformance constitutes an annoying and unpleasant task, yet, womendesiring a perfumed scent about themselves must undergo such annoyingperformance.

But my shoulder pad structure solves the above-mentioned problem in acomplete and satisfactory manner. It completely eliminates such annoyingperformance; the fact that my shoulder pad is provided with a compartlent for housing a perfumed element which will diffuse a pleasingfragrance will provide the wearer with the desired scent without thenecessity of dahbing perfume upon her shoulders, thereby eliminating thedanger of soiling her wearing apparel.

it will thus be seen that this feature of my invention, namely, thefacilities within my shoulder pad for pro viding the wearer with adesired scent, is a very important feature, in fact a very importantpart of my invention. This feature can be utilized in connectionwithvarious types or styles of shoulder pads. it can be made of variousmaterials and in various styles, types, shapes or forms. it an beutilized to great advantage and render great comfort and satisfaction tothe wearer to an extent whereby such a shoulder pad will become anecessity and an actual indispensable wardrobe item with the averageperson, and therefore quite valuable commercially.

Thus a structure made in accordance with the teachings of my inventionmay be utilized for various purposes, to suit the wearers occasionalrequirements. For example, it may be utilized as a deodorizer, or bemade to be worn or used in any other desirable manner, or in combinedform, as may be found suitable by the manufacturer or required by thetrade or consumer.

The variety of possible applications of the features of my novelconstruction in connection with different articles of apparel; ashereinabove indicated, is so prolific that for the purpose ofillustrating the invention the specific embodiment of my invention inits application to a garment exhibiting the greatest difficulties hasbeen selected. Such a garment is one which necessarily must conform mostrigidly to the body contours and one which has the field of greatestpossible commercial use. For this purpose .t' have selected forillustration of my novel construction, a garment constituting abrassiere provided with shoulder straps adapted to support upon thewearers shoulder a shoulder pad made in accordance with my invention, sothat the principle of construction may be best illustrated in thecombination of the parts of the invention disclosed therein.

"5 he objects of the present invention are attained by a novelconstruction which will be hereinafter described and illustrated in thedrawing in connection with a specific embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing in which such specific embodiment of myinvention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a perspective top View of my shoulder pad structure, showingthe frictional connection between the brassiere shoulder strap and theshoulder pad, and also showing the compartments for housing the perfumedelement, and also showing the perforations through which the scent ofthe perfumed element is being difiused or distributed.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental perspective view showing that several straps maybe positioned simultaneously and be held within the shoulder pad groove.

Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of my shoulder pad constructed to beused only as a strap cushioning means to prevent strap pressure.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective view showing my shoulder pad providedwith a narrow longitudinal slot.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the same structure as in Fig. 4 when worn uponthe wearers shoulder.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental perspective view of the front portionof the shoulder pad partly covered.

.Fig. 7 is a fragmeutal cross-sectional view showing a perfumed elementwithin the shoulder pad compartment.

Fig. 8 is a View partly in cross-section of a perfumed elementcontainer.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the cover for the container shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective fragmental view of the container shown in Fig.8, and

Fig. 11 is a fragmental perspective view showing the shoulder pad beingheld by a strap secured to the underface of the shoulder portion of thewearers garment.

.Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters identify similar parts in the several views, in my novelshoulder pad structure.

My present invention comprises a shoulder pad having a body portion 5,which may be made of various types of material, for example, rubberizedmaterial, sponge rubber, foam rubber, plastic foam, or any other suitable material. Such body portion 5 may be constructed in any desirablestyle, shape or form. It may be molded, machined, fabricated, or formedin any suitable manner, as may be deemed advisable.

The body portion 5 comprises a rear section 6 and a front portion 7 andmay, at a suitable location, be provided with an open compartment 9, andwith a groove or slitted channel 8, for a purpose which will behereinafter explained.

The front portion 7 is provided with openings, recesses, perforations orapertures forming air-compartments 9. Each of these compartments 9 isprovided with communicable openings, apertures or perforations 11 topermit the circulation of air therethrough. The wall portions 12, Whilethey may be formed in any desirable manner, may also be made, or formed,in a manner wherein the upper portions and the lower portions of thewalls 12 are of a heavier thickness than that of the center portions ofsuch walls 12, so that such wall portions may easily and automaticallybecome compressed or expanded during the wearers shoulder movements. Itis naturally understood that each time when the upper portion 14 ispressed towards the lower portion 15 the accumulated air within theopenings or apertures 11 or 16 or compartments 9 will escape throughsuch perforations or openings 11 or 16, and each time when such upperportion 14 will assume its normal position such compartments will againinhale fresh air through its openings or apertures. Thus the wallportions 12, in addition to their function of forming the individual aircompartments, also assume a spring-action which creates a system forsuction, or inhaling, and expulsion of air, causing such air tocirculate through the various openings or apertures thereby providingventilating or cooling means for the interior of the shoulder padstructure, making same a practical air conditioned shoulder pad.Naturally, the above disclosure is for illustrative purposes only andnot for limitations, various changes of form of structure may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention or theteachings of same, for example; porous material or foam rubber, whereinthe,

pores or cells 16 intersect or interconnect with each other permittingthe flow of circulation of air therethrough, may be utilized; or thecover 17 may comprise loosely woven material wherein the threads areseparated from each other thus providing apertures 1?: in the covermaterial for the circulation of air therethrough; or the body 5 may beprovided with through perforations 19 for the circulation of airtherethrough, thereby providing the inner structure of the shoulder padwith an air cushioning, air cooling and air ventilating system.

If desired, certain of the compartments 9 may be utilized to house asuitable perfumed element which may diffuse a pleasing fragrance orscent about the wearer, thereby eliminating the necessity of dabbingperfume upon the wearers shoulder thus minimizing the possibilities ofsoiling the wearers clothes.

It is naturally understood that the compartment 5 may be adapted tohouse any suitable or desirable perfumed element, or any other desirableelement. But for illustrative purposes I am showing a certain type ofperfumed element which may be utilized with considerable ease by theaverage person.

For example; a member 21, made of any suitable material, is providedwith a shoulder 22 and with a knurled head 23. This member 21 isprovided with a perfumed element 24 secured thereto in a mortise andtenon style to prevent the removal of the element 24 from the member 21during the insertion or withdrawal of same from the compartment 9. Thetapered end portion will facilitate the insertion of the element 24 intothe compartment 9 and will lead the way for such element to be fullypositioned within such compartment. When fully inserted the shoulder 22will engage, frictionally, the inner face of the compartment 9, as at26, and the head 23 will then lie flush against the outer face of thefront portion 7 thus suspending the perfumed element 24 within thecompartment 9 for the diffusion or spreading of the scent or fragrancethrough the apertures 11 into desired direction. By gripping the knurledhead 23 the perfumed element may be withdrawn from the compartment 9.

If desired the compartment 9 may be provided with a tubular member, forexample, such as indicated by arrow A. Such member A comprises a body 31which may be of hexagon shape cross-sectionally as shown at 32, or ofany other suitable shape or form, so as to be held within thecompartment 9 in a frictional non-rotatable manner. The body 31 isprovided with a chamber 33 having a screw-threaded portion 34 and ashoulder portion 35. The cover indicated by arrow 13 comprises a knurledhead 36, a screw-threaded section 37 and a shoulder portion 38, and alsocomprises a slitted extension 39 adapted to hold an element 4-1 of anysuitable material (felt, cotton or the like). This extension 39 may ofcourse be made in any other suitable style or shape. The body 31 isprovided with a reduced or tapered end section 42 to facilitate theinsertion of the member (arrow A) into the compartment 9. It will beseen that the cover 17 is provided with openings 43 (located oppositethe compartments 9) so that, while the shoulder pad 5 may be utilizedwithout a cover, yet, if desired, such shoulder pad 5 may be encasedwithin the cover 17, and the member (arrow A) may be inserted into thecompartment 9 through the opening 43 of the front portion of such cover17, and the shoulder may rest against the outer face of such frontportion as shown inse m chamber 33.1na manner as indicated by the dottedlines 41', the perfumed fragrance or scent will then diffuse through theperforations or slots 46 and through the perforations 11 and thenthrough the apertures 18 of the cover 17 and will then spread intodesired direction. It will be seen that the slots 46 are located: at theupper or top portion of the member arrow A, so that if a drop ofperfumed element detaches itself from the ele ment 41 itwill remain uponthe floor 33? of the chamber 33 and, due to the closed cover 36, will beunable to escape and soil the wearers clothes.

It is naturally understood that the member indicated by arrow A may beremoved, replaced or exchanged; or the wearer may adjust the strength ofthe scent. by the number of perfumed elements used simultaneously at oneparticular time; or the wearer may combine several different perfumedelements in order to obtain a certain desired scent; or certain of thecompartments may be utilized as perfume chambers whereas the othercompartments. may be utilized for air conditioning purposes, or suchcompartments or chambers may be utilized for other suitable purposes. Ofcourse the above is a matter optional with the wearer.

While openings such as 43 are usually reinforced with metallic eyelets,yet, if desired, the openings. 43 may be reinforced with other suitablemeans, for example, stitchings 47.

Covered shoulder pads are usually provided. with means for securing samein desired. position upon the wearers shoulder; but uncovered shoulderpads have no means by which they could be secured into desired: positionupon the wearers shoulder. Particularly so is it. true with respect touncovered shoulder pads made offoam rubber, sponge rubber or the like.It can therefore be seen that the channel, slot or groove in myuncovered rubber shoulder pad provides novel means for securinguncovered shoulder pads in desired position upon-the wearers shoulder.It solves the above mentioned problem in a completely satisfactorymanner. It makes possible utilization of rubberized shoulder padswithout the use of covers, thus eliminating the expense of cover.material and the cost of making same. The followingpoints out the mannerin which my channeled portion or groove functions.

The shoulder pad is placed upon. the wearers shoulder. The strap S ofthe wearers brassiere (brassiere not shown) is then positioned" withinthe channeled portion or groove 3. This channeled portion 8 is providedwith wall portions or lip sections 8' adapted tooverlie,.throughout itsfull length, the shoulder strap 8' and hold same against displacement.Furthermore, the, weight of the Wearers breasts usually pull downwardlysuch brassiere straps upon the wearers shoulders. Such pulling actionnaturally curves the shoulder pad 5 (upon the wearers shoulder) toconform to the curvature of such Wearers shoulder, for example, in amanner as indicated by the structure illustrated in Fig. 6. Such curvingaction causes the lip sections 8' to press tightly upon the shoulderstrap S clamping such strap S within the channel 8. Such strap S in turnpresses the shoulder pad 5 tightly against the wearers shoulder thusholding, firmly, such shoulder pad 5 in desired position upon thewearers shoulder.

The shoulder pad 5 is provided with a curved underface, for example asindicated by arrow D, so that when under pressiu'e by the strap S uponthe wearers shoulder, such shoulder 5 will straighten out (as indicatedby arrow C) and cause the lip sections 8 to close and form a straighttop surface as shown by arrow E, for supporting the shoulder portion ofthe wearers garment.

The slitted channel 8 may be adapted to also encase the shoulder strap Sof the wearers slip (slip not shown), thus preventing such strap fromslipping off the wearers shoulder; or, if desired, the shoulder pad 5may be provided with more than one slitted channel for such purposes orfor any other desirable purposes.

If desired, the slitted channel 8 may he made in the form or shape of astraight groove, slot or gap 8". And when under pressure by the strap S,upon the Wearers shoulder, the end. portionsfia will be forced againsteach other, clamping such strap S and closing the gap 8", therebyproviding a straight top surface as indicated by arrow F for supportingthe shoulder portion of the wearers garment and also holding theshoulder pad 5 frictionally secured to the strap S, thus holding suchshoulder pad in desired position upon the wearers shoulder.

If desired, the front portion 7 may be removed from the body portion 5,and the rear section 6 may be made in the form or shape as indicated byarrow K (Fig. 3). Such pad would act mainly as a strap cushioning meansto prevent strap-pressure of the strap S against the wearers shoulder.This type of pad may be made either with the slitted channel 8 havingwall or lip portions 8, or with the slot 8", with or withoutperforations, and function as herein-above described.

If desired, the shoulder pad 5 may be provided at its underface with agroove or slitted channel 51 having lip sections 52. A strap 53' may besewn on by stitchings 54 to the underface of the shoulder portion 55 ofthe wearers' garment, thus the wearer can easily secure the shoulder pad5 into desired position by just slipping a portion of such shoulder padthrough the space between the strap 53' and the garment shoulder 55,until the strap 53 is placed Within the slot or groove 51. The wallportions or lip sections 52 will prevent accidental displacement ofthestrap 53 from the groove 51. The strap 53' may be made of any suitablematerial, but if desired, such strap may comprise rubberized material inwhich case the lip sections 52 may be eliminated and the shoulder pad 5may be held in desired position against the underface. ofa shoulderportion of a garment by frictional pressure of such strap against theinner face of the slot or groove indicated by arrow 51. It may also bepointed out that in such. a case the groove 51 may, desired, beeliminated and the shoulder pad 5 may be held in desired positionagainst the underface of the garment shoulder. 55 by frictional pressureof the strap or band 53 against the body portion of the shoulder pad.

If desired, the shoulder pad 5 may be provided with suitable means to beinterlocked with means carried by the shoulder portion of the wearersgarment (means not shown) and. thus be held in desired position.

The stitchings. 54 may, if so desired, be eliminated and the end.portions of. the strap 53 may be secured to the garment shoulder 55 byother suitable means, for example, snapfasteners or the like (fastenersnot shown).

It is naturally understood that the full length of the strap 53 may beeliminated, if so desired, and that only the end portions of such strapmay be secured to the shoulder pad 5 by any suitable means. For example;in connection with covered shoulder pads, such end portions may besecured to the cover, or be an integral part of such cover. On the otherhand, if in connection with uncovered shoulder pads, then such endportions, or for that matter the entire length of such strap, may besecured to the shoulder pad 5 during the molding operation of suchshoulder pad 5, and the loose end portions of such strap may be providedwith suitable fastening means to be interlocked with fastening elementslocated at the underface of the shoulder portion of the wearers garment,and thus hold such shoulder pads in desired position.

From the above it will be seen that the features of my invention,namely, the uncovered air conditioned shoulder pad, the means forsecuring uncovered shoulder pads in desired position upon the wearersshoulder, and the perfume compartment within the shoulder pad structure,are very important and valuable features. The elimination of covers willnaturally greatly reduce the cost of such shoulder pads, the perfumecompartments will naturally make shoulder pad wearing a pleasure, andthe air conditioning and air cooling system within the shoulder avsaeeastructure will greatly facilitate the wearing of shoulder pads. It willbe clearly seen that the teachings of my invention with respect to thecommunicable openings, pores or perforations intersecting or cooperatingwith each other to permit the flow or circulation of air therethrough,thus providing a ventilating system Within the shoulder pad structureand also providing a perfurnery system for diffusing a pleasingfragrance or scent about the wearer, and the means for securinguncovered shoulder pads in desired position upon the Wearers shoulder,are each very important features, or parts, of my invention, and. arevery desirable from a practical point of view. They can be utilizedindividually or jointly in the construction of shoulder pads. It isbelieved that shoulder pads constructed in accordance with the teachingsof my invention, containing either one of the above-mentioned features,or a combination thereof, will become very popular among the consumersand thus quite valuable to the industry commercially.

It is therefore evident, that I have invented and per fected ashoulder-pad construction of a new and unique design, a shoulder-padstructure which is practical, use- 111 and therefore of commercialvalue, and, although I have shown certain preferred forms ofillustrations in order to explain and describe the novelty of myinvention, yet, by showing such structures, I do not, by any means,limit myself to the structures, nor to the terms used in describingsame, as they are for illustrative purposes only. Various suggestionsand changes of structure may be resorted to, and I desire it to beunderstood that I have same in mind when showing and describing thisinvention, and seek protection by Letters Patent. And, although I havementioned in describing this invention of what material certain partsmay be made, how they may be formed, shaped or styled, and how they maybe assembled, yet I desire it to be understood that this structure, orparts thereof, may be made of any suitable material, and shaped, formed,styled or arranged in any desirable manner, and assembled in anyconvenient way so that the parts may be easily taken apart, removed,cleaned, replaced, re-attached and reassembled, and that various changesin detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of thisinvention.

I claim:

1. A shoulder pad adapted to be positioned upon the wearers shoulder,said shoulder pad comprising a body portion having a series of aperturesfor the circulation of air thercthrough, resilient Wall portionsseparating certain of said apertures from each other, said body portionprovided with a slitted channel, said channel having a floor andlipsections, and in combination with a shoulder strap of a body garment,said slitted channel adapted to house said shoulder strap, said strapadapted to press against the floor of said channel to hold said shoulderpad in conformity with the curvature of the said wearers shoulder and tohave said lip-sections press tightly against said strap, said shoulderpad provided with means for housing a removable perfumed elementtherein.

2. A shoulder pad comprising a body portion having communicableopenings, 21 member having a tubular opening located within one of saidcommunicable openings, said member having apertures, said tubularopening forming a chamber for housing a removable perfumed element, saidapertures and said communicable openings adapted to permit the diffusionof scent of said perfumed element.

3. A shoulder pad comprising a body portion having a compartmenttherein, a tubular member within said compartment, said tubular memberforming a chamber for housing a removable perfumed element therein, andmeans permitting the diffusion of scent of said perfumed element.

4. A shoulder pad comprising a body portion made of rubberized material,said body portion having a compartment therein, a tubular member withinsaid compartment, said tubular member forming a chamber to house aremovable perfumed element.

5. A shoulder pad comprising a body portion made of porous material,said body portion having a compartment therein for housing a removableperfumed element, said compartment having at least one opening, saidopenning and the pores of sad body portion communicating with each otherand adapted to permit the diffusion of scent of said perfumed element.

6. A shoulder pad adapted to be positioned upon the wearers shoulder,said shoulder pad provided with a compartment for housing a removableperfumed element and with combined perforations for permitting thediffusion of the scent of said removable perfumed element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,413,526 Solomon Dec. 31, 1946 2,441,482 Gerry May 11, 1948 2,476,798Bernstein July 19, 1949 2,497,382 Weber Feb. 14, 1950 2,497,808 ZacksFeb. 14, 1950 2,526,808 Cohen Oct. 24, 1950 2,586,423 Frais Feb. 19,1952 2,620,484 Gerry Dec. 9, 1952 2,624,885 McManus Jan. 13, 19532,640,993 Kleinrnan June 9, 1953 2,671,223 Axsom Mar. 9, 1954 FOREIGNPATENTS 924,797 France Aug. 14, 1947

